Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Burnham’s first UK budget is expected to delay major tax reforms
Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first budget is due next Wednesday, about 100 days after he took office in the UK.
Chancellor John Healey is expected to propose cuts to business regulation, more power for local areas and targeted help with living costs as energy bills rise.
The budget is not expected to overhaul business rates, capital gains tax or council tax, which the Labour Party has criticised as unfair.
The government’s larger reform plans are not ready yet: its 10-year plan is expected closer to Christmas, while details on areas including welfare and water ownership are due at a spending review in 2027.
Officials say the budget must respond to the economic strain of wars in Iran and Ukraine without unsettling bond markets.
Healey’s budget is intended as a step toward those longer-term plans, rather than a full set of reforms.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first budget is expected to postpone major economic reforms.
Chancellor John Healey is expected to announce business regulation cuts, steps to devolve power and targeted help with living costs.
The budget is not expected to overhaul tax regimes including business rates, capital gains tax and council tax.
Officials say many reforms are not ready, while the government faces pressure from the economic impact of wars in Iran and Ukraine.
The government’s 10-year plan is expected closer to Christmas, with further reform details due at a spending review in 2027.
- Who
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey.
- What
- Burnham’s first budget is expected to offer limited measures and delay major economic reforms.
- When
- The budget is scheduled for next Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Many reforms are not ready, and the government is seeking to avoid unsettling bond markets amid economic pressures.
Critics of delaying decisions
Government defenders
Budget ambition
Critics of delaying decisions
Critics say the government is not making decisions and is kicking the can down the road.
Government defenders
Officials say the budget is difficult and will be as ambitious as possible within the political context.
Burnham took office after a special election.
Healey is due to present Burnham’s first budget.
Burnham’s 10-year plan is expected to be published.
A multi-year spending review is expected to provide details on reforms.
- Budget date
- October 28, 2026
- Prime minister
- Andy Burnham
- Chancellor
- John Healey
- 10-year plan publication
- Expected closer to Christmas
- Spending review
- Expected in 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
People are “accusing us of not making decisions and kicking the can down the road when actually this budget is incredibly difficult,
The idea that this is by any means small is quite difficult to stomach.
as ambitious as possible within the political context